Earlier the ECP had stated that it was not constitutionally possible to hold early elections. DESIGN: EMA ANIS
A revised schedule of the presidential elections has been released by the ECP.
Information Minister Pervez Rashid said that objections could be raised for delaying presidential elections but not for holding it earlier, Radio Pakistan reported.
The last day to withdraw nomination papers is July 27, instead of July 29 according to the new schedule.
The Supreme Court had asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to review July 30 as a day for presidential elections if there were no legal obstacles.
The ECP said it would have no problem with a date decided by the supreme court. According to the ECP, the final decision should be made by the court.
A three member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was formed to hear a petition filed by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) senator Raja Zafarul Haq.
Haq had filed the petition in the Supreme Court on June 23 to seek an earlier date for the presidential election as the ECP had refused to postpone it.
The petitioner had prayed to the court to direct the ECP to change the date of the presidential election from August 6 to July 30.
Earlier the ECP had stated that it was not constitutionally possible to hold early elections.
PPP's stance
Calling it a one-sided decision, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) presidential candidate Raza Rabbani said the court order deprives him of his right to campaign across Pakistan.
Flanked by Amin Faheem and Aitzaz Ahsan, Rabbani held a press conference in Islamabad.
He said with only two days left for campaigning, he won’t be able to travel to all the four provincial capitals to convince the electorates.
Rabbani said the apex court should have heard all the stakeholders before issuing this order.
The list of nominated presidential candidates can be assessed here.
COMMENTS (14)
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Well, no wonder what happens in Pakistan. Physically Pakistan is getting so weak. Each and every time we are under attack of new deadly viruses. Now a days the two deadly yet so sweet poison are judiciary and media. No idea how to get rid of them. We are trying to cope the old, like corruption, sectarianism, better economy etc but soon a new, more lethal problems arise.
How on earth should I not call these 'Sharif' courts?
Judicial activism at its peak. I am amazed how he gets away with almost anything he does. Missing persons case is pending since 2004 and after 9 years he hasn't charged a single person. His son's case is God knows where, he has refused PAC to audit SC financial matters, he decides cases on his will yet no one can speak about it as he calls it contempt of court. Now is he is looking to extend his tenure lol. per ALLAH ka shukur he adlia to aazad he
People are not happy when Supreme Court takes a number of years to take decision. People are not happy when Supreme Court takes a decision in few minutes. ....!
People should become used to Pakistani style of justice. .
I bet chowdhry will definitely get extention from Nawaz Sharif.......!!!!
What a joke!!!! you apply for anything, if u belongs to N Party, you will get the quick relief
...........and Sharook Jatoi is still unpunished. Every day I wonder if possibly we would be better off with the Taliban justice system.
Personal engagements get priority over state affairs GOD BLESS PAKISTAN
What a quick decision? Will court decide poors cases in such a speed?
@asad: The SC- has failed to protect human rights for the poor people. Indeed it is acting as an agent of the elite class when it closed it eyes on article 62 implementation and gave clean chit to Mr Nawaz sharif to become PM despite various petitions from the citizens
Judicial Dictatorship..!!!
i think its not constitutionally possible to delay the election but early election is fine. just commented without knowing the constitution :)
lol what has SC got to do with ECP ?!